Corbett's Late-Game Rally Lifts East Boys Hoops Past Brentwood

During a fourth-quarter time-out before East grinded out a 57-55 League I win against the visiting Brentwood Indians, East head coach John Finta explained exactly what needed to be done: "I told [Arrows starting center Brian] Corbett he had to win the game for us. He stepped up, carried the team on his back all the way to the final point. And the way Candemeres also stepped up tonight just shows what a tough kid he is."

Corbett had battled under the baskets all night mostly unrattled, where the comparatively shorter height of Brentwood (4-3 in League I, 6-5 overall) put them at a greater disadvantage. 

"We knew we could take them down low," said the 6' 3" senior, who led with 29 points including 14 points and a 4-for-7 effort from the stripe in the fourth quarter alone. He knotted the game 55-55 on a three-point play with less than 50 seconds to go. "We knew that and we exploited that."

The danger was outside, where the Indians' shooting had heated up significantly in its high-scoring third quarter. At the start of the fourth quarter, when Lawrence Hall hit a three-pointer with nearly six minutes to play, it momentarily appeared that little would cool or slow Brentwood down. East suddenly trailed by 10 (50-40). 

It appeared that way... but only for the moment. 

Dan Candemeres had struggled somewhat through the first half, and was temporarily pulled after taking a knee to the ribcage during a third-quarter drive. Not hitting his usual threes but certainly not about to let the pain get the better of him, he refocused and rejoined his team in the fourth with his trademark ball-handling skills and smart passing.

He finally capped Corbett's scrappy scoring with his only fourth-quarter score - arguably the clutchest of clutch two-pointers this team has seen in quite some time. With only a fraction of a second remaining, both the team and its fans erupted in cheers.

Fewer three-pointers  - he chalked up one for the night - may have meant a relatively low-scoring game for Candemeres this time out - he totaled 12 points for the night. But his quickness and leadership in the final minutes was essential.

"I laid down for four minutes," Candemeres said, whose left middle finger was still bandaged from a prior injury. "I said, 'I just gotta finish the game out.'"

Turnovers and rushed passes were a problem for both sides throughout, but kept scoring more even through the first half before Brentwood's three-pointers found their target. At halftime, East was up by a thin 23-22 margin, slipping 45-37 by the end of the third quarter.

Randall Colson (four points) was the X-factor in that final hustle. He grabbed a key offensive rebound that led to a putback by Tim Doherty (five points) that was assisted by Corbett with about 2:00 left. Then, with the crowd shouting "Defense! Defense!," Colson grabbed another one downcourt to give East back possession, which set up Candemeres for the winning field goal right as East called a full time-out with 9.4 seconds to go.

Corbett crashed the boards the hardest, double-doubling with 11 rebounds (seven offensive, four defensive) and adding a 9-for-17 (53%) effort from the line.

Candemeres totaled 12 points and grabbed four defensive rebounds. He also added three assists, snatched two steals and made one block. On foul shooting, he went 5-for-7 (71%).

Joe Santarpia scored five points, grabbing one offensive rebound and one defensive rebound. Besides his five points, Doherty chipped in one assist and one steal.

Colson grabbed a total of seven rebounds (three offensive, four defensive), snatched one steal and made one block.

Donovan Stuart led Brentwood with 12 points.

East will travel to Patchogue-Medford January 26 (next Wednesday) to play the Raiders (0-6 in League I, 1-8 overall) at 6 p.m.

Lindenhurst

East fell 71-64 to the Bulldogs (2-4 in League I, 4-6 overall) on the road Tuesday night. Leading by five at the half (36-31), Lindy gave East considerable trouble on offense, according to Finta, Candemeres and Corbett.

"12 threes and 12-for-12 from the line, you gotta give them credit," said Corbett. "They're not a 1-4 team, they'll make some noise."

Candemeres led with 28 points, and added eight rebounds (three offensive, five defensive), five assists and one steal. Corbett and Santarpia each scored 14 points. Corbett led in rebounds, totaling 15 (eight offensive, seven defensive). Santarpia added two offensive rebounds and two assists.

Doherty scored three points, added five assists and grabbed two rebounds. D'Andre Smith contributed three points. Colson had two points, three rebounds and one assist. Ryan Morahan grabbed two rebounds and had two assists.

Aaron Coughlin led Lindy with 20 points.